Dental hygeine device utilizing axial forces and related methods

ABSTRACT

Dental hygiene devices that facilitate the ability of a user to engage in one or more oral hygiene actions are disclosed. In an aspect, dental hygiene devices are disclosed that comprise a handle portion that is securely attached to at least one head element in a substantially perpendicular fashion. Such dental hygiene devices may facilitate the ability of a user to clean one or more teeth by moving the head element in a substantially vertical up and/or down direction and/or in a vibratory fashion along one or more surfaces of the teeth to be cleaned. This type of vertical movement may cause less damage to the teeth, particularly at the cementoenamal junction (CEJ), than movements that are substantially horizontal in nature, thereby helping to prevent various types of dental complications, including gingival recession and root dissolution.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to dental hygiene devices andmethods of use and more particularly to dental hygiene devices andmethods of use configured to clean at least one tooth by applying aforce in at least one substantially vertical direction.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Dental hygiene has been important to humans for thousands of years.Historians believe that as early as 3500 B.C., Babylonians and Egyptiansbegan using “toothsticks” to clean teeth. These toothsticks typicallyconsisted merely of a twig with a frayed end. Later, around 1600 B.C.,the Chinese are credited with developing “chewing sticks” made formaromatic tree twigs that functioned essentially as breath fresheners.

Toothbrushes are thought to have taken on a more recognizable designaround the 15^(th) century when the Chinese took bristles from the necksof pigs and attached them to handles made of bone or bamboo. TheEuropeans later modified this design by using horsehairs or feathers forbristles, which were softer than the bristles acquired from pigs.

The design of the toothbrush continued to be tweaked for many years.Finally, in 1938, a toothbrush was created that utilized nylon bristles,very similar to the types of toothbrushes available today. Electrictoothbrushes were introduced in 1939.

The design of a particular toothbrush can largely impact how it is used.Manual toothbrushes that are currently available typically comprise anelongated head that is affixed at a distal end to an elongated handle ina substantially parallel orientation thereto. A plurality of bristlesprotrudes from at least one surface of the head in a variety ofconfigurations. With this design, users are inclined to brush theirteeth using either a lateral sawing (side-to-side) motion and/or arotary/circular motion with substantial lateral movements. Either ofthese brushing methods has the potential to cause strong abrasive forcesto impact a user's teeth, thereby causing various types of toothabrasion as well as damage to the periodontium. Such tooth abrasion isevidenced by, for example, the development of a generally horizontalgroove on a tooth's surface within the gingival third of the tooth,within the gingival third of the crown of the tooth, and/or within thecervical third the root of the tooth. This groove may comprise variousdepths and may consist of gingival recession and/or root dissolution.Currently available electric toothbrushes provide similar movements andoftentimes make the abrasive forces worse due to the high strength ofthe forces they inflict on teeth.

The cementoenamal junction (CEJ) of a tooth is particularly prone toexperiencing damage from abrasive brushing forces. This is where thecervical third of the tooth's crown meets the cervical third of thetooth's root and is also where the enamel of the tooth is the thinnest,at the gingival margin, where the tooth inserts itself into the gum.

Given the foregoing, dental hygiene devices and associated methods ofuse are needed that facilitate the cleaning of at least one tooth whileminimizing the application of strong abrasive forces associated withsuch tooth cleaning and the resulting damage associated therewith.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts. Theseconcepts are further described below in the Detailed Descriptionsection. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of this disclosure's subject matter, nor is thisSummary intended as an aid in determining the scope of the disclosedsubject matter.

Aspects of the present disclosure provide dental hygiene devices andassociated methods of use which facilitate the ability of a user toperform at least one oral hygiene action, such as the cleaning of one ormore teeth or the cleaning of one or more inner mouth surfaces(including the gingiva and the tongue), while minimizing the applicationof abrasive forces that may impact the teeth during cleaning.Specifically, in an aspect, dental hygiene devices are disclosed thatare configured to be moved across the surface of a given tooth in asubstantially vertical up and down motion. Being that teeth and theirassociated gingiva have an anatomical design that gives them arelatively high capacity to withstand and/or deflect axial forces due totheir role in chewing food, it has been observed that cleaning themusing substantially vertical movements does not result in the types ofabrasion associated with lateral and/or rotary movements. Thus, dentalhygiene devices in accordance with the present disclosure are able toremove biofilm and material alba from the exposed surfaces of teethwithout forming abrasive horizontal grooves at the gingival marginsand/or CEJ and without causing gingival recession and/or rootdissolution. Additionally, vertically oriented movements may betterfacilitate the cleaning of spaces and/or grooves between teeth thanlateral and/or rotary brushing movements.

In an aspect, dental hygiene devices in accordance with the presentdisclosure may comprise an elongated handle to which a smaller elongatedhead is attached at a distal end in a substantially perpendicularorientation relative thereto. In some aspects, the distal end of thehandle to which the head is affixed may be attached to a central portionof the head. In some additional aspects, the head may comprise asubstantially rectangular shape with rounded corners. In still someadditional aspects, the angle made by the intersection of the head andthe handle may be rounded and/or one or more sides of the handle may berounded. The rounding some or all corners of the head and/or the handleand/or the intersection thereof may help prevent discomfort and/orminimize friction as they impact various portions of a user's mouth. Inyet some additional aspects, the handle may comprise one or morerecesses and/or grooves configured to at least partially receive atleast one user finger in order to facilitate the ability of a user togrip the handle securely and/or comfortably.

Having the head of dental hygiene devices in accordance with the presentdisclosure configured perpendicularly to the handle may facilitate theability of a user to clean one or more teeth by using substantiallyvertical up and down motions. In some aspects, these motions may furthercomprise short vibratory movements. The perpendicular head configurationmay allow a user to hold the handle substantially vertically whilecleaning one or more teeth instead of horizontally, thereby resulting ingetting the user to perform the desired vertical motions across eachtooth's surface. Such movements may be made, for example, across thefacial (front) surface(s) of each tooth until the back molar is reached.Then, the user may pivot the head around the back molar (or other endtooth in a given row) and continue brushing the lingual (back)surface(s) of each tooth using the same substantially vertical motionsuntil the exposed surfaces of every tooth have been cleaned.

In some aspects, the head of dental hygiene devices in accordance withthe present disclosure may be separated from the handle by a necksection. The neck section may be parallel to and extend from a distalend of the handle. The other end of the neck section may securelyreceive the head with the same perpendicular configuration as the handlewould, as described above. Separating the handle from the head by usingthe neck section may allow a user to clean one or more teeth whilekeeping the handle and/or one or both hands that grip the handle fromentering the mouth during cleaning, thereby facilitating a morecomfortable and/or hygienic user experience. In some additional aspects,one or more sides of the neck section may be rounded, in order tofacilitate user comfort and/or minimize friction as the neck sectionimpacts various portions of the user's mouth.

In some aspects, at least one surface of the head of dental hygienedevices in accordance with the present disclosure may comprise at leastone protruding at least partially flexible member, such as a nylonbristle. Multiple flexible members may be grouped into tufts. Thesetufts may be organized into various numbers of rows and/or columns. Theflexible member(s) may facilitate the cleaning of one or more teeth byimpacting the various exposed surfaces of the teeth in aflexible/displaceable way so as to allow for one or more of the flexiblemember(s) to maintain physical contact with a given tooth surface whileencountering various curves, bumps, crevices, and other distortions uponthe tooth. In some additional aspects, the flexible member(s) may beconfigured upon a raised base platform upon at least one surface of thehead.

In some aspects, dental hygiene devices in accordance with the presentdisclosure may comprise one or more additional components, such asgum/tissue massagers and/or tongue scrapers. These additional componentsmay be located on one or more surfaces of the head, or on a portion ofthe handle or neck section, such as the distal end of the handleopposite the end to which the head or neck section is attached.

Further features and advantages of the present disclosure, as well asthe structure and operation of various aspects of the presentdisclosure, are described in detail below with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present disclosure will become moreapparent from the Detailed Description set forth below when taken inconjunction with the drawings in which like reference numbers indicateidentical or functionally similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view an exemplary dental hygiene device forfacilitating the performance of at least one oral hygiene action,according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an exemplary dental hygiene device forfacilitating the performance of at least one oral hygiene action,according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of an exemplary dental hygiene device forfacilitating the performance of at least one oral hygiene action,according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary dental hygiene device forfacilitating the performance of at least one oral hygiene action beingheld by a user, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5A-5B are a front view and a side view, respectively, of anexemplary dental hygiene device including one or more flexible members,according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6A-6B are views of an exemplary dental hygiene device being usedto perform at least one oral hygiene action, wherein the at least oneoral hygiene action comprises cleaning at least one facial upper toothsurface and at least one facial lower tooth surface, respectively,according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7A-7B are views of an exemplary dental hygiene device being usedto perform at least one oral hygiene action, wherein the at least oneoral hygiene action comprises cleaning at least one lingual upper toothsurface and at least one lingual lower tooth surface, respectively,according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for facilitatingthe performance of at least one oral hygiene action using an exemplarydental hygiene device, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to dental hygiene devices andassociated methods of use for facilitating the performance of at leastone oral hygiene action, such as the cleaning of one or more teeth orthe cleaning of one or more inner mouth surfaces (including the gingivaand the tongue). Aspects of the present disclosure provide dentalhygiene devices and associated methods of use that facilitate theability of a user to clean one or more teeth while minimizing theapplication of potentially damaging abrasive forces to the teeth beingcleaned. Specifically, in an aspect, dental hygiene devices andassociated methods of use are disclosed that are configured to be movedin one or more substantially vertical directions in relation to one ormore teeth being cleaned, thereby removing debris, such as biofilm andmaterial alba, from the teeth by applying one or more axial forces toone or more surfaces of the teeth instead of lateral forces, which havebeen shown to cause tooth abrasion, especially at or near the gingivalmargin and/or CEJ (where the tooth enamel is thinnest), includinggingival recession and root dissolution. Being that teeth and theassociated gingiva are anatomically designed to withstand axial forcesassociated with mastication, such forces are preferable for teethcleaning as they are less likely to cause damaging effects. Tofacilitate the desired vertical movement(s), dental hygiene devices inaccordance with the present disclosure may comprise a head elementaffixed to a handle portion in a substantially perpendicular fashion.This configuration causes a user to be inclined to hold such dentalhygiene devices in a vertical fashion instead of a horizontal fashionwhile engaging in the cleaning of one or more teeth and thus enables theuser to move the devices in substantially vertical directions instead oflateral ones, such as by making substantially vertical up and downand/or short vibratory movements.

The term “oral hygiene action” and/or the plural form of this term areused throughout herein to refer to any activity which may serve to cleanor otherwise improve the hygiene of one or more parts of a user's mouth,including the cleaning of one or more teeth and the cleaning of one ormore inner mouth surfaces (including the gingiva and the tongue), suchas by removing biofilm, removing material alba, and the like.

The term “dental hygiene device” and/or the plural form of this term areused throughout herein to refer to any device or apparatus configured toperform one or more oral hygiene actions within a user's mouth, such astoothbrushes, tongue scrapers, gum stimulators, toothpicks, tissuemassagers, and the like.

The term “user” and/or the plural form of this term are used throughoutherein to refer to any individual or being that may utilize and/orreceive one or more benefits associated with the use of dental hygienedevices in accordance with the present disclosure, such as to clean anyportion of such user's mouth, such as the teeth, wherein such usersinclude but are not limited to humans, dogs, cats, other animals, andthe like.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view an exemplary dental hygienedevice 100 for facilitating the performance of at least one oral hygieneaction, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, is shown. Byway of example and not limitation, an oral hygiene action may comprisethe cleaning of one of more teeth 602 (not shown in FIG. 1) or thecleaning of one or more inner mouth surfaces (including the gingiva andthe tongue), including but not limited to the removal of biofilm and/ormaterial alba therefrom.

In an aspect, dental hygiene device 100 may comprise a handle portion102 and a head element 106. Head element 106 may be affixed to a distalend of handle portion 102 such that a long axis of head element 106 maybe in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to a long axisof handle portion 102. In some aspects, the distal end of handle portion102 to which head element 106 is affixed may be attached to a horizontalmidpoint of a bottom portion of head element 106. In some additionalaspects, head element 106 may comprise an elongated shape, such as arectangle, or any other appropriate shape as may be apparent to thoseskilled in the relevant art(s) after reading the description herein. Instill some additional aspects, one or more corners 110 (labeled only ascorner 110 a in FIG. 1, for clarity) of head element 106 may be roundedso as to minimize discomfort, friction, and/or damage to an interiorportion of a mouth in which one or more dental hygiene actions are beingperformed by dental hygiene device 100. Similarly, one or more sides 122(labeled only as side 122 a in FIG. 1, for clarity) of handle portion102 may be rounded to increase feelings of comfort in a user's handand/or mouth and/or to minimize friction and damage thereto during use.Handle portion 102 may comprise an elongated member, as well as anyother appropriate configuration as may be apparent to those skilled inthe relevant art(s) after reading the description herein.

In some aspects, dental hygiene device 100 may further comprise a necksection 104. Neck section 104 may serve to interconnect head element 106and handle portion 102 in order to prevent and/or minimize the need forany part of handle portion 102 (and/or any portion of one or both of auser's hands) from entering the user's mouth, thereby facilitating amore comfortable and/or hygienic user experience. In some additionalaspects, a central vertical axis of neck section 104 may substantiallyalign with a central vertical axis of handle portion 102. In somefurther additional aspects, a first distal end of neck section 104 maybe affixed to handle portion 102 and a second distal end of neck section104 may adjoin to a horizontally central location upon a bottom portionof head element 106. In still some additional aspects, one or morecorners 118 (labeled only as corner 118 a in FIG. 1, for clarity) ofneck section 104 may be rounded to facilitate comfort and/or preventunwanted friction and/or damage within the user's mouth. In yet someadditional aspects, by way of example and not limitation, neck section104 may comprise a width of seven millimeters, a length of 35millimeters, and a thickness of four millimeters; however, as will beapparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) after reading thedescription herein, alternative sizes may be used for neck section 104without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

In some aspects, handle portion 106 may comprise at least one generallyconcave recess 114. Recess 114 may provide a gradual means oftransitioning the thickness of dental hygiene device 100 from handleportion 102 to neck section 104 or head element 106, particularly inaspects wherein the thickness of handle portion 102 is greater than thethickness of neck section 104 or head element 106. In some additionalaspects, recess 114 may enhance the ability of a user to grip or grabdental hygiene device 100, such as, by way of example and notlimitation, by providing a resting place for a user's thumb and/or oneor more other fingers. In still some additional aspects, recess 114 maybe located on an upper portion of handle portion 102.

In some aspects, dental hygiene device 100 may comprise more than onehead element 106. In such aspects, additional head element(s) 106 may beaffixed to various portions of dental hygiene device 100, including, byway of example and not limitation, to the same and/or opposite distalend of handle portion 102 to which the first head element 106 or necksection 104 is affixed, to various portions of the first head element106 itself, including a back portion 204 (not shown in FIG. 1) thereof,and/or to any other appropriate part of handle portion 102 or necksection 104 as may be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s)after reading the description herein.

In some aspects, neck section 104, handle portion 102, and/or headelement 106 may comprise one or more polypropylene substances or anyother appropriate substance(s) as may be apparent to those skilled inthe relevant art(s) after reading the description herein, including oneor more plastics, rubbers, woods, metals, other polymers, and anycombination thereof. Substance(s) that comprise neck section 104, handleportion 102, and/or head element 106 may be chosen that are at leastpartially flexible and/or that have a proportional limit that is greaterthan the amount of stress placed on the one or more teeth 602 beingcleaned by head element 106, neck section 104, and/or handle portion102. In some additional aspects, neck section 104, handle portion 102,and/or head element 106 may be interconnected, either permanently orremovably, via various means, including by being molded and/or fusedtogether, via one or more adhesives, via one or more fastening devices(including screws, nuts, snaps, prongs, detents, tabs, clips, crevices,bolts, nails, prongs, clasps, snaps, clamps, and the like), or by anyother appropriate means as may be apparent to those skilled in therelevant art(s) after reading the description herein. In still someadditional aspects, neck section 104, handle portion 102, and/or headelement 106 may all be formed from a single piece of material. In yetsome further additional aspects, neck section 104, handle portion 102,head element 106, and/or an entire dental hygiene device 100 may beformed via one or more additive manufacturing processes, such as, by wayof example and not limitation, via 3D printing.

In some aspects, head element 106 may comprise an elongated shape, suchas, by way of example and not limitation, a rectangle. In someadditional aspects, head element 106 may comprise a length of 21millimeters, a width of 10 millimeters, and a thickness of fivemillimeters. Other various shapes and/or sizes of head element 106 maybe used as may be relevant to those skilled in the relevant art(s) afterreading the description herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the present disclosure. In still some additional aspects, theintersection of attachment between head element 106 and neck section 104or handle portion 102 may include at least one generally concave incline116 to transition from the thickness of neck section 104 or handleportion 102 to the thickness of head element 106, particularly inaspects wherein the thickness of head element 106 is less than thethickness of neck section 104 or handle portion 102. By way of exampleand not limitation, incline 116 may comprise a slope of approximately135 degrees and a length of two millimeters; however, as will beappreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s) after reading thedescription herein, other proportions and sizes may be used for incline116 without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. In yet some additional aspects, one or both edges 112(labeled only as edge 112 a in FIG. 1, for clarity) that comprise theintersection between head element 106 and neck section 104 or handleportion 102 may be rounded in order to facilitate comfort and/or preventunwanted friction and/or damage within a user's mouth.

In some aspects, head element 106 may further comprise a raised baseplatform 108. Base platform 108 may be configured to securely receive atleast one elongated flexible member 502 (not shown in FIG. 1), such as,by way of example and not limitation, one or more bristles. By way ofexample and not limitation, such flexible member(s) 502 may comprisenylon, or any other similar material(s) that may or may not be at leastpartially flexible as may be apparent to those skilled in the relevantart(s) after reading the description herein. One or more flexiblemembers 502 may be used to enhance the cleaning capabilities of dentalhygiene device 100.

In some aspects, a distal end 120 of handle portion 102 that opposeshead element 106 may comprise one or more additional components, such asa tongue scraper, gum stimulator, tissue massager, toothpick, and/or anyother similar component as may be apparent to those skilled in therelevant art(s) after reading the description herein. In some additionalaspects, such additional components may be configured upon various otherportions of dental hygiene device 100, such as, by way of example andnot limitation, back portion 204 of head element 106.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a side view of an exemplary dental hygienedevice 100 for facilitating the performance of one or more oral hygieneactions, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, is shown.

In some aspects, the central vertical axis of neck section 104 and/orhead element 106 may be offset from the central vertical axis of handleportion 102. In such aspects, handle portion 102 may comprise a gradient202. Gradient 202 may facilitate the ability of a user to clean one ormore teeth 602 (not shown in FIG. 2) that may be difficult to reach ifthe central vertical axis of neck section 104 and/or head element 106comprised the same plane as the central vertical axis of handle portion102. By way of example and not limitation, gradient 202 may comprise aslope of approximately 15 degrees; however, as will be appreciated bythose skilled in the relevant art(s) after reading the descriptionherein, other slopes, sizes, and/or proportions for gradient 202 may beused without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure.

In some aspects, back portion 204 of head element 106 may comprise oneor more additional components, such as, by way of example and notlimitation, a tongue scraper, a gum stimulator, a tissue massager, atoothpick, and/or similar component(s) as may be apparent to thoseskilled in the relevant art(s) after reading the description herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5B, a front view and a side view,respectively, of an exemplary dental hygiene device 100 including one ormore flexible members 502 (labeled only as flexible members 502 a-b inFIGS. 5A-5B, for clarity), according to one or more aspects of thepresent disclosure, are shown.

A distal end of one or more flexible members 502 may be securelyattached to dental hygiene device 100, such as, by way of example andnot limitation, at a surface of head element 106 and/or base platform108 (not labeled in FIGS. 5A-5B). Flexible member(s) 502 may facilitatethe cleaning of one or more teeth 602 (not shown in FIGS. 5A-5B) byimpacting the various exposed surfaces of teeth 602 in aflexible/displaceable way so as to allow for one or more of flexiblemember(s) 502 to maintain physical contact with a given tooth 602surface while encountering various curves, bumps, crevices, and otherdistortions thereupon. Flexible member(s) 502 may be attached via, byway of example and not limitation, one or more weaving techniques, oneor more adhesives, or via any similar means as may be apparent to thoseskilled in the relevant art(s) after reading the description herein. Byway of example and not limitation, flexible member(s) 502 may comprisebristles, as well as any other appropriate structures as may be apparentto those skilled in the relevant art(s) after reading the descriptionherein. In some aspects, flexible member(s) 502 may comprise nylon;however, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s)after reading the description herein, other similar flexible and/orsemi-flexible materials may be used as well. In some additional aspects,flexible member(s) 502 may comprise minimal or no flexibility.

In some aspects, dental hygiene device 100 may comprise a plurality offlexible members 502. In some additional aspects, multiple flexiblemembers 502 may be arranged into one or more groupings or tufts. By wayof example and not limitation, each tuft may comprise a circumference ofapproximately one millimeter and comprise approximately 40 flexiblemembers 502. Multiple tufts and/or multiple individual flexible members502 may, by way of example and not limitation, be arranged upon headelement 106 and/or base platform 108 or any other appropriate portion ofdental hygiene device 100 in a grid-like arrangement of one or more rowsand one or more columns. By way of example and not limitation, in someaspects, dental hygiene device 100 may comprise tufts in four rows andnine columns. In some additional aspects, each tuft may be approximatelyone millimeter from any adjacent tuft(s), approximately one millimeterfrom the upper and lower edges of head element 106 and/or base platform108, and approximately two millimeters from the right and left sideedges of head element 106 and/or base platform 108. By way of exampleand not limitation, each flexible member 502 may comprise a length ofapproximately 10 millimeters.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s) afterreading the description herein, other arrangements, sizes, groupings,distributions, and/or configurations of flexible member(s) 502 may beused without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. In some aspects, it may be desirable to configure/arrangeflexible members 502 so as to achieve soft abrasive values in order tofacilitate the ability of dental hygiene device 100 to prevent and/orminimize the amount of abrasive forces applied to one or more teeth 602(not shown in FIGS. 5A-5B) to be cleaned.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6B, views of an exemplary dental hygienedevice 100 being used to perform at least one oral hygiene action,wherein the at least one oral hygiene action comprises cleaning at leastone facial upper tooth 602 a surface and at least one facial lower tooth602 b surface, respectively, according to one or more aspects of thepresent disclosure, are shown.

Dental hygiene device 100 may be configured to be held by a user in asubstantially vertical fashion, with head element 106 configured in asubstantially perpendicular orientation relative to neck section 104and/or handle portion 102 (not shown in FIGS. 6A-6B). In this way, theuser may clean one or more teeth 602 (labeled only as teeth 602 a-b inFIGS. 6A-6B, for clarity) by making substantially vertical up and downand/or vibratory movements with dental hygiene device 100, suchsubstantially vertical movements being indicated by directional arrows608 (labeled as directional arrow 608 a in FIG. 6A and directional arrow608 b in FIG. 6B, respectively). In some aspects, one or more flexiblemembers 502 (labeled only as flexible members 502 a-b in FIGS. 6A-6B,for clarity) may be integrated with head element 106 and may beconfigured to maintain contact or may be configured to at leasttemporarily contact at least one surface of one or more teeth 602 whilethe user moves dental hygiene device 100 in a desired up, down, and/orvibratory fashion in order to induce one or more friction forces thatfacilitate the removal of debris, such as biofilm and/or material albafrom such teeth 602. In some additional aspects, a user may engagedental hygiene device 100 in movements that cause head element 106, baseplatform 108, and/or flexible member(s) 502 to nudge gingival margins604 (labeled only as gingival margins 604 a-b in FIGS. 6A-6B, forclarity), where each tooth 602 intersects with gingiva 606 in order toclean that area while minimizing any damage thereto.

By moving head element 106 and/or flexible member(s) 502 that may beintegrated therewith in a substantially vertical direction duringcleaning, forces get applied to the surface(s) of one or more teeth 602in a direction that is significantly parallel to the axial forces theyincur while, for example, chewing food. Being that teeth 602 and theirassociated gingiva 606, including the periodontium, are configuredanatomically to withstand such forces relatively well, this causes lessabrasion to teeth 602, including less gingival recession and rootdissolution at or near gingival margins 604 and less damage to theperiodontium, than would movement of head element 106 and/or flexiblemember(s) 502 that may be integrated therewith in a lateral or saw-likefashion. This is particularly useful in preventing abrasion at the CEJ(located near gingival margins 604), where the enamel of each tooth 602is the thinnest. Additionally, dental hygiene device 100 may be used totake advantage of the various bulges associated with one or moregingival margins 604 associated with one or more teeth 602 in order tominimize the strength of the abrasive forces applied at the soft tissuejunction. This may be accomplished by using substantially verticaland/or vibratory brushing movements with head element 106 and/or one ormore flexible members 502 that may be integrated therewith to redirectthe brushing forces away from gingiva 606 while facilitating the abilityof head element 106, base platform 108, and/or flexible member(s) 502 toremain interfaced with the entire cervical portion of one or more teeth602 with a lesser degree of force than with substantially lateralbrushing movements. Furthermore, the substantially vertical movements ofhead element 106 and/or flexible member(s) 502 that may be integratedtherewith may allow a user to better clean spaces 610 (labeled only asspaces 610 a-b in FIGS. 6A-6B, for clarity) and/or grooves betweenadjacent teeth 602 than lateral movements by increasing the ability ofhead element 106, base platform 108, and/or flexible member(s) 502 thatmay be integrated therewith to engage spaces 610, which are verticallyoriented.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7B, views of an exemplary dental hygienedevice 100 being used to perform at least one oral hygiene action,wherein the at least one oral hygiene action comprises cleaning at leastone lingual upper tooth 602 a surface and at least one lingual lowertooth 602 b surface, respectively, according to one or more aspects ofthe present disclosure, are shown.

When cleaning the facial surface(s) of one or more teeth 602 in eitherthe maxillary or mandibular row, a user may hold dental hygiene device100 such that distal end 120 (not shown in FIGS. 7A-7B) is directedeither upwardly or downwardly. However, when cleaning the lingualsurface(s) of one or more teeth 602, the user may be forced to holddental hygiene device 100 such that distal end 120 is directeddownwardly when cleaning the maxillary row and is directed upwardly whencleaning the mandibular row, as depicted by FIGS. 7A and 7B,respectively.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process800 for facilitating the performance of at least one oral hygiene actionusing an exemplary dental hygiene device 100 (not shown in FIG. 8),according to an aspect of the present disclosure, is shown. By way ofexample and not limitation, the at least one oral hygiene actiondescribed by process 800 may comprise the cleaning of one or more teeth602 (not shown in FIG. 8).

Process 800 begins at step 802 with control passing immediately to step804.

At step 804, a user prepares dental hygiene device 100 for use. By wayof example and not limitation, this may include removing dental hygienedevice from a storage location and/or container, assembling one or morecomponents of dental hygiene device 100 (such as by way of example andnot limitation, attaching neck section 104 (not shown in FIG. 8) tohandle portion 102 (not shown in FIG. 8) via one or more snap fasteningmechanisms), applying one or more cleaning agents, such as, by way ofexample and not limitation, toothpaste, to one or more portions ofdental hygiene device 100, including, by way of example and notlimitation, to one or more exposed distal ends of flexible member(s) 502(not shown in FIG. 8), applying water to and/or rinsing one or moreportions of dental hygiene device 100, as well as any other similarpreparatory activities as may be apparent to those skilled in therelevant art(s) after reading the description herein.

Once dental hygiene device 100 is prepared for use, process 800 proceedsto step 806.

At step 806, the user positions dental hygiene device 100 at a firstcleaning location with handle portion 102 in a substantially verticalorientation, with distal end 120 (not shown in FIG. 8) directed eitherupwardly or downwardly. The first cleaning location may comprise eithera facial or lingual surface of one more teeth 602 at any location withina mouth, in either the maxillary or mandibular row. If the firstcleaning location comprises a lingual surface of one or more teeth 602,then the user may be forced to hold dental hygiene device 100 such thatdistal end 120 is directed downwardly when cleaning the maxillary rowand is directed upwardly when cleaning the mandibular row.

Once dental hygiene device 100 is in position at a first cleaninglocation, process 800 proceeds to step 808.

At step 808, the user moves dental hygiene device 100 usingsubstantially vertical movements, such as, by way of example and notlimitation, alternating up and down motions, while making at leasttemporary contact with at least one surface of one or more teeth 602 tobe cleaned. In some aspects, such contact may be made with at least aportion head element 106 (not shown in FIG. 8), base platform 108 (notshown in FIG. 8), and/or one or more flexible members 502 that may beassociated therewith. In some additional aspects, by way of furtherexample and not limitation, the user may additionally or alternativelyengage in short vibratory movements with dental hygiene device 100 whileat least temporarily contacting at least one surface of one or moreteeth 602 to be cleaned, such as, by way of example and not limitation,by using at least a portion of head element 106, base platform 108,and/or one or more flexible members 502 that may be integratedtherewith. In still some additional aspects, the user may additionallyor alternatively use any appropriate portion of dental hygiene device100 (such as, by way of example and not limitation, head element 106,base platform 108, and/or one or more flexible members 502) to nudge oneor more gingival margins 604 (not shown in FIG. 8) associated with oneor more teeth 602 to be cleaned. In yet some additional aspects, by wayof example and not limitation, the vertical movements may span betweenan incisal edge 612 (not shown in FIG. 8) (labeled only as incisal edges612 a-b in FIGS. 6A-6B and 7A-7B, for clarity) of one or more teeth 602and the gingival margin 604 thereof.

As a user moves dental hygiene device 100, dental hygiene device 100 maytake advantage of the various bulges associated with one or moregingival margins 604 associated with one or more teeth 602 in order tominimize the strength of the abrasive forces applied at the soft tissuejunction. Using substantially vertical brushing movements with dentalhygiene device 100 may serve to redirect the brushing forces away fromgingiva 606 while facilitating the ability of head element 106, baseplatform 108, and/or one or more flexible members 502 that may beassociated therewith to remain interfaced with the entire cervicalportion of one or more teeth 602 with a lesser degree of force than withsubstantially lateral brushing movements. Additionally, thesubstantially vertical up and down motions of dental hygiene device 100(and the various portions thereof) may facilitate the minimization ofdamaging abrasion to one or more teeth 602 (such as, by way of exampleand not limitation, at the CEJ) along with the minimization ofperiodontium damage. Furthermore, the substantially vertical up and downmotions of dental hygiene device 100 (and the various portions thereof)may serve to improve a user's ability to clean spaces 610 (not shown inFIG. 8) and/or grooves between adjacent teeth 602 when compared withlateral brushing movements by enhancing the ability of head element 106,base platform 108, and/or flexible member(s) 502 that may be integratedtherewith to engage spaces 610, which are vertically oriented.

At step 810, the user determines whether more teeth 602 are to becleaned. If the answer is in the affirmative, process 800 proceeds tostep 812. If the answer is negative, process 800 proceeds to step 824.Such a determination may be made, at least in part, based on whether anyteeth 602 remain that have not been cleaned already and/or whether theuser has time to clean more teeth.

At step 812, the user determines whether the last tooth 602 that wascleaned is the last tooth 602 (or the end tooth 602) (typically a molar)within a row of teeth 602 (such as the maxillary or mandibular row). Ifthe answer is in the affirmative, process 800 proceeds to step 816. Ifthe answer is negative, process 800 proceeds to step 814.

At step 814, the user moves dental hygiene device 100 as needed to cleanone or more additional teeth 602. In some aspects, such teeth 602 may beadjacent to the one or more teeth 602 that were just cleaned, in whichcase head element 106 and/or and any flexible members 502 that may beintegrated therewith may be moved in a substantially horizontal fashion,with or without maintaining contact with at least one surface of one ormore teeth 602; or, in some additional aspects, the additional teeth 602to be cleaned may be located at a different location within the mouth,in which case head element 106 and/or any flexible members 502 that maybe integrated therewith may be moved in any desired fashion, with orwithout maintaining contact with at least one surface of one or moreteeth 602. Once dental hygiene device 100 has been moved as needed toclean one or more additional teeth 602, the cleaning process maycontinue.

At step 816, the user determines whether to continue cleaning thecurrent row of teeth 602 (either the maxillary row or the mandibularrow) by cleaning the other side of the teeth 602 that were just cleaned;that is, if the facial surfaces of such teeth 602 were just cleaned,then the user determines whether to clean the lingual surfaces, and viceversa. If the answer is in the affirmative, process 800 proceeds to step818. If the answer is negative, process 800 proceeds to step 820.

At step 818, the user uses a pivoting motion (or any similar movement asmay be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) after readingthe description herein) to bring head element 106 (and any flexiblemembers 502 that may be integrated therewith) of dental hygiene device100 completely around the outer surface of the last/end tooth 602 in thecurrent row (either the maxillary row or the mandibular row) to switchfrom cleaning the facial surfaces of teeth 602 in the current row tocleaning the lingual surfaces of teeth 602 in the current row, or viceversa. In some aspects, this pivoting type motion may be performed whilethe user keeps dental hygiene device in a substantially verticalorientation in order to maintain the benefits of using the substantiallyvertical up and down and/or vibratory movements and thereby preventand/or minimize unwanted abrasion to teeth 602, including gingivalrecession and/or root dissolution, particularly at the CEJ.Additionally, the pivoting motion may be engaged in with or withoutmaintaining contact between head element 106 and/or at least a portionof flexible member(s) 502 that may be integrated therewith and at leastone surface of the last/end tooth 602 in the given row being cleaned.

At step 820, the user determines whether to clean a new row (in mostcases, the other row) of teeth 602. This determination may depend, inlarge part, on whether or not the other row of teeth 602 has beencleaned yet and/or whether the user has time to clean the teeth 602 inthe other row. If the determination is in the affirmative, process 800proceeds to step 822. If the determination is in the negative, process800 proceeds to step 824.

At step 822, the user moves dental hygiene device 100 via any desiredmethod; with or without maintaining contact between head element 106,base platform 108, and/or flexible member(s) 502 and at least one tooth602 surface; and positions dental hygiene device 100 at a secondcleaning location with handle portion 102 in a substantially verticalorientation, with distal end 120 directed either upwardly or downwardly.The second cleaning location may comprise either a facial or lingualsurface of one more teeth 602 at any location within the new row ofteeth 602 to be cleaned. If the second cleaning location comprises alingual surface of one or more teeth 602, then the user may be forced tohold dental hygiene device 100 such that distal end 120 is directeddownwardly when cleaning the maxillary row and is directed upwardly whencleaning the mandibular row.

At step 824 process 800 is terminated and process 800 ends.

While various aspects of the present disclosure have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled inthe relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. Thus, the present disclosure should not be limited by any ofthe above described exemplary aspects, but should be defined only inaccordance with the following claims and their equivalents. Variousconfigurations of head element 106, neck section 104, handle portion102, and/or flexible members 502, as well as any other portions ofdental hygiene device 100 may be used without departing from the spiritand scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, those skilled in therelevant art(s) will appreciate that additional methods of use and/oralternative orders of the exemplary method given may be engaged in usingdental hygiene device 100; thus, the present disclosure should not belimited to the examples given herein. Furthermore, although variousshapes, sizes, proportions, and other measurements for the variouscomponents of dental hygiene device 100 have been given for exemplarypurposes, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s)that those may also be adjusted without departing from the sprit andscope of the present disclosure.

In addition, it should be understood that the figures in theattachments, which highlight the structure, methodology, functionalityand advantages of the present disclosure, are presented for examplepurposes only. The present disclosure is sufficiently flexible andconfigurable, such that it may be implemented in ways other than thatshown in the accompanying figures (e.g., implementation withinconfigurations and methods other than those mentioned herein). As willbe appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s) after reading thedescription herein, certain features from different aspects of thedevices and methods of the present disclosure may be combined to formyet new aspects of the present disclosure.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally and especially thescientists, engineers and practitioners in the relevant art(s) who arenot familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determinequickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of thistechnical disclosure. The Abstract is not intended to be limiting as tothe scope of the present disclosure in any way.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dental hygiene device configured to perform atleast one oral hygiene action, wherein the dental hygiene devicecomprises: an elongated handle portion comprising a first distal end, asecond distal end, and a long axis; and at least one head elementcomprising a long axis, a back surface, and an elongated shape; whereinthe at least one head element is securely affixed to the first distalend of the elongated handle portion such that the long axis of the atleast one head element is in a substantially perpendicular orientationrelative to the long axis of the elongated handle portion.
 2. The dentalhygiene device of claim 1, wherein the at least one head elementcomprises a shape that is substantially rectangular.
 3. The dentalhygiene device of claim 1, wherein the at least one head element furthercomprises at least one raised base platform.
 4. The dental hygienedevice of claim 3, wherein the at least one raised base platform isconfigured to securely receive a first distal end of at least oneelongated member; wherein the at least one elongated member is at leastpartially flexible; wherein a second distal end of the at least oneelongated member is configured to perform the at least one oral hygieneaction within a user mouth.
 5. The dental hygiene device of claim 4,wherein the at least one raised platform securely receives a pluralityof the at least one elongated member.
 6. The dental hygiene device ofclaim 4, wherein the at least one elongated member comprises at leastone bristle, wherein the at least one bristle at least partiallycomprises a nylon material.
 7. The dental hygiene device of claim 5,wherein the plurality of the at least one elongated member comprisesmultiple groupings of the at least one elongated member.
 8. The dentalhygiene device of claim 7, wherein the multiple groupings of the atleast one elongated member are arranged in multiple rows and columns. 9.The dental hygiene device of claim 1, wherein at least one of: thesecond distal end of the elongated handle portion and the back surfaceof the at least one head element comprises at least one additionalelement.
 10. The dental hygiene device of claim 9, wherein the at leastone additional element comprises at least one of: a tongue scraper, agum stimulator, a toothpick, and a tissue massager.
 11. The dentalhygiene device of claim 1, wherein the at least oral hygiene actioncomprises at least one of: cleaning at least one tooth surface, removingbiofilm from at least one tooth surface, removing material alba from atleast one tooth surface, cleaning at least one inner mouth surface,removing biofilm from at least one inner mouth surface, and removingmaterial alba from at least one inner mouth surface.
 12. The dentalhygiene device of claim 1, wherein the dental hygiene device furthercomprises an elongated neck section; wherein the elongated neck sectioncomprises a first distal end and a second distal end; wherein the atleast one head element is securely affixed to the first distal end ofthe elongated neck section such that the long axis of the at least onehead element is in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative toa long axis of the elongated neck section; wherein the second distal endof the elongated neck section is securely affixed to the first distalend of the elongated handle portion; wherein the long axis of the necksection is oriented in substantial alignment with the long axis of theelongated handle portion.
 13. The dental hygiene device of claim 12,wherein the at least one head element, the elongated handle portion, andthe neck section each comprise an at least partially flexible material.14. The dental hygiene device of claim 13, wherein the at leastpartially flexible material comprises at least one of: polypropylene,plastic, rubber, wood, and metal.
 15. The dental hygiene device of claim12, wherein the at least one head element, the neck section, and theelongated handle portion each comprise at least one of: at least onerounded corner, at least one rounded side, and at least one roundededge.
 16. The dental hygiene device of claim 12, wherein the elongatedhandle portion comprises at least one side that comprises at least oneconcave recess configured to receive at least part of at least onefinger of a user.
 17. The dental hygiene device of claim 12, wherein thelong axis of the neck section is configured within a first plane that issubstantially parallel to a second plane that contains the long axis ofthe elongated handle portion.
 18. A method for performing at least oneoral hygiene action using a dental hygiene device, wherein the dentalhygiene device comprises an elongated handle portion comprising a firstdistal end, a second distal end, and a long axis; and at least one headelement comprising a long axis and an elongated shape; wherein the atleast one head element is securely affixed to the first distal end ofthe elongated handle portion such that the long axis of the at least onehead element is in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative tothe long axis of the elongated handle portion, the method comprising thesteps of: positioning the dental hygiene device such that at least oneportion of the at least one head element makes contact with at least onesurface of at least one tooth while the elongated handle portioncomprises a substantially vertical orientation; and moving the dentalhygiene device in at least one of: an upward direction and a downwarddirection while the at least one portion of the at least one headelement maintains contact with the at least one surface of the at leastone tooth and the elongated handle portion maintains the substantiallyvertical orientation.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the methodfurther comprises the step of: moving the dental hygiene device in ahorizontal direction to perform the at least one oral hygiene action onat least one additional tooth.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein themethod further comprises the step of: pivoting the at least one headelement around an end tooth that has no more than one adjacent toothwhile the at least one portion of the at least one head elementmaintains contact with at least one surface of the end tooth and thehandle portion maintains the substantially vertical orientation.